Device and method for cleaning a surface of a rotating cylinder, such as a plate cylinder of a printing press or other

Abstract

The device comprises a suction chamber (41) having a mouth facing toward the cylinder and a nozzle (44) which is associated with the suction chamber and by which a jet of a cleaning liquid is generated. At least a first drying chamber (45, 47) is also provided, associated with said suction chamber (41) and connected to a suction pipe (43).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a device for cleaning, in other words washing, a surface of a rotating cylinder, for example the surface of a plate cylinder of a printing press, such as a flexographic press, an embossing roller of an embossing and lamination assembly, or other.[0002]More specifically, the invention relates to a device of the type comprising a suction chamber with a mouth facing toward the cylinder and a nozzle which is associated with the suction chamber and by which a jet of cleaning liquid is projected toward the surface of the rotating cylinder.[0003]The invention also relates to a printing press employing a device of the abovementioned type, and to a method for cleaning a rotating cylinder.STATE OF THE ART[0004]In various situations it becomes necessary to clean a cylinder used for the transfer of a liquid, for example an ink, from one point to another in a machine. A requirement of this type arises in flexographic presses, where a plate cy...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In particular, an object of the invention is to produce a device which can more efficiently dry the cylinder.

[0015]In this manner, the washing liquid and the residues detached from the surface of the cylinder to be washed are removed by means of the suction chamber normally provided on the washing head. However, contrary to what happens in the conventional systems, each surface portion of the cylinder subjected to washing passes through not only the region of action of the suction chamber but also the drying chamber or chambers, where any residues of the washing liquid are efficiently removed, leaving the surface of the cylinder completely dried and therefore in optimum condition to receive a new supply of ink or other liquid to be transferred, or to perform the process for which it is intended, for example an embossing process, without disadvantages arising from the presence of residues of washing liquid.

[0016]When the invention is used on a printing press for the cleaning of the plate cylinder, this makes it possible for printing to continue, even at normal speed if desired, without adverse effects on, for example, the color intensity.

[0018]Blowing nozzles may be associated with the drying chamber, or with each drying chamber, for the blowing-in of air under pressure against the surface of the cylinder to be dried. The blowing nozzles generate air flows of small cross section and high velocity which, impacting against the surface of the cylinder to be washed, detach therefrom any drops of water which may adhere there as a result of the surface adhesion forces. The puffs under pressure generated by the blowing nozzles are particularly effective in detaching residues of water contained in the cavities or incisions in the plate cylinder.

[0020]In practice, the blowing nozzles may advantageously be oriented so as to converge toward the central region of the drying chamber. This prevents the jets of air tending to disperse the residues of washing liquid outside the volume defined by the surface of the cylinder and by the drying chamber. More efficient removal of the residues of washing liquid is thus obtained.

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage of these devices resides in the fact that the removal of the washing liquid is not sufficiently effective, so that the printed product, during washing, undergoes a deterioration in quality and may even become weakened to the point of breaking, especially when it is produced from absorbent paper.

However, the cleaning efficiency is poor because of the inadequacy of air as a washing fluid.

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